Self-locking shoe-buckle holder



Feb. 11, 1930. F. a. HOFFMANN SELF LOCKING SHOE BUCKLE HOLDER Filed Feb. 5, 1929 i iui aa INVENTOR. Harm/WW FEED G.

ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 1 1, 1930 UNITED STATES FRED G. HOFFMANN, F PLEASANTVILLE, NEW YORK SELF-LOCKING SHOE-BUCKLE HOLDER Application filed February 5, 1929. Serial No. 337,622.

This invention relates generally to shoe buckles and has more particular reference to a novel buckle holder.

The invention has for an object the provision of a device of the class mentioned which is of simple durable construction desirable in use and efficient in action and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost. The invention proposes the use of a back strip with forward turned ends having a hook connected with one of the ends capable of engaging an eye member secured upon a shoe buckle, and a plunger strip slidably mounted in the other of the forward turned ends and having a hook at its outer extremity adapted to engage a second eye member on the same shoe buckle, an expansion spring being coaxially mounted on the plunger strip and acts against one of the forward turned'ends for normally urging the hooks together. A support strip arranged for attachment upon the vamp of a shoe is connected with the said back strip for supporting the device upon a shoe.

This arrangement presents many advantages, one in particular being that a' shoe wearer may readily exchange shoe buckles worn on shoes for other buckles. Various different designs of shoe buckles may be sold and are readily attachable upon the shoes for the purpose stated.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of theinvention are more particularly set forth.

In the-accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe having a shoe buckle attached according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view,

taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view, looking in the direction of. the arrows 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fi 4 is a front elevational View of the so buckle support, per se.

Fig. 5 is a rear elevational view thereof.

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 4, but illustrating-the device constructed according to modified form.

Fig. 7 is a sectional View taken on the line 77 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a rear elevationalview of a shoe buckle arranged for cooperation with the buckle support.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view of a portion of Fig. 6 illustrating a modified form thereof.

The reference numeral 10 indicates generally a shoe of any design or'construction having a shoe vamp 11. A buckle support 12 is attached upon the shoe Vamp and supports a buckle 13. This buckle may be of any ornamental design, and provided with rhinestones, and has eye members 14 and 15 secured on the rear side.

The buckle support 12 consists of a back strip 16 formed with a T shaped slot 17, and with forward turned ends 18 and 19. A hook element 20 is attached on the forward turned end 19 and engages the eye member 15. A support strip 21 is attached to the forward turned end 19 and connects with lateral extensions 22 formed with apertures 23 for attachment uponthe vamp of a shoe by rivets or stitches.

The forward turned end 18 is formed with an opening 24 through which a plunger strip 25 slidably passes. The top end of the plunger strip 25 is bent into the form of a hook 26 arranged for engaging the eye member 14 of the said buckle. The inner end of the plunger strip is formed with a guide member 27 extending through the slot 17 and provided with an enlarged free end 28 located on the rear side of the back strip 16. A tongue 29 projects from the front side of the plunger strip directly opposite the guide member 27. Expansion spring 39 coaxially engages on the plunger strip 25 and acts between the forward turned end 18 and the tongue 29.and guide member 27. The action of the expansion s ring is to retract the plunger strip sothat t e hooks 26 and 20 may engage theeye members of the buckle for securely holding the buckle in place.- The enlarged end 28 of the prungerstr'ip may be passed through the top of the T slot 17 for engagement and disengagement from the back strip 16.

In the modified form of the device illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, a support strip 21 has been shown connected with one side of the back strip 16 at the central portion thereof and is provided with lateral extensions 22 having the apertures 23 for receiving rivets or stitches to secure same to the vamp of a shoe. It is particularly pointed out that a buckle support of this construction has its hook elements 26 and 20 disposed in a horizontal plane for supporting a shoe buckle such as illustrated in Fig. 8. The shoe buckle shown in this figure is of greater width than height and is provided with eye members 14 vertically arranged at its ends. The buckle support described relative to Figs. 1 to i inclusive has its hook members 20 and 26 arranged in a vertical plane for engaging .the eye members of buckles of substantial heights.

In the modified form of the device illustrated in Fig. 9, the plunger strip 25' has a plurality of notches 32 formed on one of its edges for engaging against the material of the forward turned end 18 surrounding the opening '24 for locking the plunger strip 25 in various extended positions. The dot and dash lines 33 indicate the plunger strip in an extended position. This is of: particular advantage in that the plunger strip may be locked in an extended position while a shoe buckle is removed and examined and upon replacement of the buckle it is merely necessary to release the plunger strip which is then automatically retracted for engaging the eye members of the buckle.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and theright is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is 1. A buckle support for the Vamps of shoes, comprising a back strip with a T shaped slot, and formed with forward turned ends, a hook element secured on one of the ends, a plunger strip ,slidably mounted in the other end, a hook formed on the outer end of the plunger strip. a guide extended from the inner end of the plunger strip and engaging in the said T shaped slot, a means for urging the plunger strip into retracted position, and a means for splpporting' the back strip onto the vamp-of a s 0e.

2. A buckle support for the-vampsof shoes, comprising a back strip with a T shaped slot, and formed with forward turnedendsmhodk element secured .on one .of-theends, a plunger strip slidably mounted in the other and, .a

hook formed on the outer end of the plunger strip, a guide extended from the inner end of the plunger strip and engaging in the said T shaped slot, 2. spring coaxial on the plunger strip and urging the plunger strip into hook engaged puosition, and a means for supporting the back strip onto the vamp of a shoe.

3. A buckle support for the Vamps of shoes, comprising a back strip with a T shaped slot, and formed with forward :turned ends, a hook element secured on one of the ends, a plunger strip slidably mounted on the other end, a hook formed on the outer end of the plunger strip, a guide extended from the inner end of the plunger strip and engaging in the said T shaped slot, a spring coaxial on the plunger strip and urging the plunger strip into retracted position, and a means for supporting the back strip onto the vamp of a shoe, .consisting of a support strip attached on theback strip, and lateral extensions with apertures from the support.

4. A'buckle support for the Vamps of shoes, comprising a back strip with a T shaped .slot, and formed with forward turned ends, a hook element secured on one of the ends,.a plunger strip slidably mounted in the other end, a hook formed on the outer end of the plunger strip, a guide extended from the inner end of the plunger strip and engaging in the said T shaped slot, a spring coaxial on the plunger strip and urging the plunger strip into retracted position, and a means tor supportin the back strip onto the vamp of a shoe, .sai plunger strip having a notched'edge forengaging an edge of one of said forward'turned ends to hold the plunger strip in various fixed positions.

5. A buckle support for the Vamps ofshoes, comprising a back strip with a T shaped slot, and formed with forward turned ends, a hook element secured onone of the ends, a plunger strip slidably mounted in the other end, a hook formed on the outer end of the plunger strip, a guide extended from the inner end of the plunger strip and engaging thru the said T shaped slot and formed with an .en-

larged end disposed behind the back strip, a

means for urging the plunger strip into retracted position, and a means for supporting the back strip onto the vm of a shoe.

In testimony whereof "I'. ave afiixed my signature.

FRED G. HOFFMAN'N. 

